Nice Monday 8th Sept

 Friday21st June Falmouth to Falmouth.

After muesli and Eggs Benedict for breakfast, we set off for our first adventure of the day, warm coats and raincoats were required, not raining yet but it was expected. 

St Michaels Mount was our adventure, first we stopped on our way into the village of Marazion to look over the sea towards the Mountain, then parked and let out to pick our way across the tide was on it’s way out so causeway was dry, it was a little windy and grey, we had to concentrate on where we were walking as the causeway was uneven and at times a little rocky, and rather pretty with all the colours.

We were left to our own devices once inside the gates, and it was a very pretty walk up towards the castle, sometimes the steps were natural steps in the rocks , sometimes placed by man.

The walls were guarded by canon, mostly facing back to the town, I have just read they were installed mid 18th century, used for mostly ceremonial purposes. The family St Aubyn have lived there since the micd 17th century, most of the estate has been gifted to the National Trust along with funds and they now have a 999 year lease. The Mount is closed on Saturdays to give the family some down time, or as one of our tour members, Ruby, said so they can do their washing and hang it out. 

Near the entrance, our bus driver, Ken had already arrive, and was in out photo shot.

There were displays of military weapons, and we went through the, dining room which was the refectory library with chess set ready to play, there are some lovely windows too.

Outside on to the terrace, we could look over the sea to land

Or drown over the gardens

Looking towards the church and back across the causeway to the town.

the church was small but perfectly formed, huge atmosphere compared to some of the slightly larger ones I have visited of late.

Rather taken by this little bronze sculpture.

A view of the blue drawing room, an armoury room, small gallery’s and out again, understandably only some of the castle rooms are on public display, but that was just enough for me, I was keen to see the gardens as we were running out of time. It was a walk back down and then around to the side, only a quick glimpse.

Again did they not know I was coming? There was scaffolding up on one side, but apparently it will be there for two years, whilst repairs and maintenance are made.

Bloody tourists got in the way ! A map of the area on the end wall of one of the houses at the entrance, people do live here too, mostly staff and National Trust people.

A Quick Look back then off we went to Mousehole, I know right? But apparently it is pronounced

Mous-all, Our tour leader used to own a restaurant in this town. Streets are tiny so quite often find yourself about 6 inches from a wall when driving in to wee villages.

Pretty little place, with a small harbour, obviously tide was out, they seem to have a high tidal range around this area, as quite often see boats sitting on the mud. Pretty little buildings too, made use of the postbox next to the telephone box, pity you. Don’t get post stamped anymore would have liked Mousehole!

We then made an unscheduled stop at a place called Nineteeen maidens, in a farmers field. Well it is that time of year isn’t it?

Most of them had some fresh daisies sitting on the top, and our tour leader provided us with a colleagues drone view.

We stopped for a photo opportunity at Lands End, it was starting to get cold and windy! Some enterprising person has built this tacky kind of theme park there with souvenir shops and some kind of games rooms. They also have a distance too there places sign that you can have your photo taken in front of for ten pounds! There seemed to be some takers??

Also another photo at a disused tin mine. You see a few of these dotted around the place, but it’s not often you get the opportunity to stop on these roads. The Carn Galver mine.

We then went on to St Ives, but the weather started to pack in a bit, it was about four o’clock by now so hadn’t felt like another pasty at the other towns, so got a slice of Marguerite pizza, it was lovely with fresh basil, and a comparative bargain at four pounds. Guarded it closely in the shelter of a building whilst seagulls stalked us!. 

Looking towards above, and back towards where we came from below

Sonja’s friends above, One of my fellow travellers lost her ice cream, apparently she was the 31st that day from that shop to be mugged by a seagull. Below a flapjackery - why wouldn’t you call it that and some narrow cobblestone street.

We headed back to the railway station where we had been dropped off and sheltered from the rain until we were collected, it got quite wet, but at least it was the end off the day!

Drove back into Falmouth, they have oodles of cabbage trees, but apparently called cabbage palms here, they line the streets in some areas. Tony our tour leader, believes they came back as ballast when ships originally took freight to the colonies. More cabbage trees that’s Christchurch I reckon.

Had a beautiful meal at the hotel that evening , Dessert was a green apple mousse.As good as it looks!!